East Nashville News: Butcher & Bee, Pauli's Place and more

This week, we have a bunch of openings, art, books, music and other stuff that makes the world a nicer place to be.

On to this week’s East Nashville News:

Butcher & Bee opening imminent, crowdfunding under way

Neighborhood sandwich aficionados have been eagerly awaiting the opening of the East Nashville outpost of Charleston’s well-loved Butcher & Bee, and although the specific grand date hasn’t been announced yet, we do know this much: It’s next week.

The restaurant’s staff was prepping for soft opening meals this week, getting everything in line for the opening announcement. We’ll update and share that as soon as we get the news.

Meanwhile, the B&B-ers also just launched a crowdfunding campaign with an aim of raising the last bits they’ll need to outfit the East Side space. Funds raised via their Kickstarter campaign are specifically headed to artists and makers who are producing everything from furniture to custom wallpaper.

The new shop is something of a childhood dream come true for the former New Yorker.

“My father owned a women's sportswear manufacturing company in New York City, and I loved visiting him when I was a kid and trying on his newest creations,” Block says. “At 16, my first paying job was as a salesgirl in a men's clothing store with my uncle, and after college I was the fit model for a British clothing designer in the 1407 Broadway building. … I guess I've always had a little fantasy of having my own shop one day, so when I found out this space was available, I decided to take it off my bucket list and jump in.”

During the grand opening, you’ll get to enjoy a glass of wine while you peruse, and get an early crack at what Block’s wrangled for the new place. Hours going forward will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

O.liv Body Bar offers 12 days of Christmas presents

A former fixture in Edgehill Village, boutique day spa O.liv Body Bar is now taking up residence on our side of the river. And as generous East Siders, they’re celebrating the holidays with lots of giving — namely, a new deal popping up each day through Christmas Eve, from spa services to items from local retailers they carry.

If your interest is piqued but you’re not familiar with our spa neighbors yet, here’s a bit of a snapshot via a recent test drive:

The location, at 922 Main Street, is unassuming from the outside; inside, it’s an eclectic and welcoming space that makes a bunch of sense in our neighborhood — a dearth of the Brentwoody, New Age-y vibe that tends to permeate spas (not that there’s anything wrong with that), more vintage furniture, wall partitions made with antique doors and Nick Drake, Fiona Apple and Beck over the PA.

The spa offers facials, a full mud lounge, massages and more, and the massage experiences come with a personal twist — you belly up to the Body Bar first, and choose from an array of essential oils and herbal powders to personalize the extra virgin olive oil used as their standard massage oil. Leaves you feeling like a very relaxed, wonderfully fragrant hunk of well-prepped kale.

Added bonus: If you’re something of a spa newbie, the staff is decidedly un-snooty, very patient, and eager to educate. Solid pampering with East Nashville approachability, might be a good wrap-up.

The new Red Arrow location opened its doors Wednesday to share the work of Nashville artist Annika Best, whose "Yalla يالا exhibition" — stocked with photos taken during time spent in a Lebanon-based Syrian refugee camp — will continue through December 12, in conjunction with the monthly East Side Art Stumble.

Other local art hubs with new work to see on Art Stumble day include Gallery Luperca (Michael Ray Nott's exhibit “Decidedly Human” opens Saturday 6-9 p.m. at 604 Gallatin Ave., Suite 212) and the photography-focused Modern East Gallery (Saturday brings the opening reception for an exhibition of Nashville photog Penny Felts' polaroids, 6 to 9 p.m. at 1006 Fatherland St., #203).

Caroling for Kids season is here again

Every year since 1916, local volunteers have supported Fannie Battle’s mission of providing affordable, high-quality child care to at-risk children by contributing to the Caroling for Kids campaign. Since the holiday season’s back again, so is Caroling for Kids, and your opportunity to pitch in and help an organization that helps a lot of neighbors.

The fundraising initiative runs through Christmas Eve, and you can contribute in a number of different ways, from getting a group together and caroling to simply donating online. But if you’ve been looking for an excuse to exercise your pipes, it’s a good one.

East Side writer celebrates first children’s book

East Nashville writer Ashley Roth celebrates the arrival of her first children’s book, Tiny Tallulah and The Trouble With Zoos, with a launch party on Saturday, December 12 at the Queen Avenue Art Collective (178 Queen Ave., 37207).

The book — focused on the titular Tallulah and her best friend, Charlie the rat — has an animal advocacy bent, thus so does the party; it’s hosted by Nashville Animal Advocacy, and will feature kid-friendly vegan food, local vegetarian vendors, a crafting table with animal-themed projects and more.

The party runs from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Roth will be reading from the book and doing a book signing, starting at 2.

The event, set for 8:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 12, includes a pancake breakfast, crafts, games, pictures with Santa and a silent auction. Admission is $5 per person, or $15 for up to a family of six.

Cage the Elephant meets the B’East

Nashville-via-Bowling Green rock successes Cage the Elephant are getting ready to release a new album — the Dan Auerbach-produced Tell Me I’m Pretty, out December 18 — and part of that prep includes a show here in the neighborhood.

CTE will headline The Basement East on Friday, December 18, with tickets ($32.50) up on sale now. Sizable as the B’East is, it’s a small room for that big band, so if you’re hoping to go, probably best to snag your tix now (it wasn’t sold out as of this posting).

Above, a small taste of the new LP.

QUICK BITS

— Losing your mind waiting for the next season of Game of Thrones? Riverside Village’s new Perk and Cork might be able to help a little. Check out their Winter is Coming specialty coffee drinks menu, above. Starting this weekend. The Man is tickled. (1304 McGavock Pike)

— Also starting this weekend: Sunday brunch at the Family Wash. Every Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 626 Main St.

— Also also starting this weekend: Tours of the new Smith & Lentz brewery. Get a look into the production of their craft beer, and enjoy a pint of it in a glass you can take home. First tours are Saturday 3 and 5 p.m., and tickets are $10. 903 Main Street.

That’s all for this week. Have East Nashville News to share? Email Nicole.